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| TPWD News Releases Dated 2013-10-18 |
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[ Note: This item is more than a year old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.texas.gov ]
Oct. 18, 2013
Boeing Awards Grant to Help Restore Native Landscapes at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site
EL PASO - One of Texas' most unique cultural resources will soon reap the benefits of environmentally friendly landscaping, thanks to support from Boeing, which recently awarded Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation a grant in support of native landscape restoration at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site.
"Boeing has a long history of supporting conservation and communities," said Anne Brown, executive director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. "We're honored to receive funding from Boeing to help us launch a three-year landscape restoration project at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site. It's a wonderful example of reestablishing a natural ecosystem that the community of El Paso and its visitors will enjoy for years to come."
Located 32 miles northeast of El Paso, Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is named for its large natural rock basins or "Huecos" that collect rainwater prized by thirsty dwellers, travelers and wildlife in this arid region of West Texas for millennia. The site is noted for its remarkable collection of over 2,000 pieces of Native American rock art, many thousands of years old, and rich wildlife and plant diversity. The park's attractions draw visitors from around the world to experience its history and enjoy numerous outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, camping, rock climbing, nature study and birding.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department designated Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site as a priority location for landscape restoration to reduce soil erosion on the park's trail systems, reestablish native vegetation and ultimately protect the park's archeological resources.
"Boeing supports organizations that create community change in places where our employees live and work," said Rosaura Corral-Perez, Boeing El Paso site leader. "This new Hueco Tanks environmental restoration effort will benefit the region well into the future."
The project will include the following activities:
--Assessing baseline landscape needs and planning drainage area check dams to reduce erosion, improve habitat, and protect the park's archeological resources.
--Reseeding native grasses for erosion prevention and habitat reestablishment.
--Constructing check dams to prevent erosion and gullying that negatively impacts trail systems and risks damage to archeological resources.
At its completion, the project will ensure visitors can continue to experience the heritage and biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert. "We are extremely grateful to have a community partner like Boeing that understands the value of restoring native landscapes to conserve critical natural resources and protect the world-renowned archeological resources at Hueco Tanks," said Brent Leisure, TPWD state parks director.
Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. For additional information, visit http://www.boeing.com/boeing/
Founded in 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is the non-profit funding partner of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Overseen by 21 Trustees, the Foundation's mission is to provide private support to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to support priority projects with measurable results and meaningful impact. Its programs include conservation, wildlife research, community outreach, and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation. For additional information, please visit http://www.tpwf.org/.
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[ Note: This item is more than a year old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.texas.gov ]
Oct. 18, 2013
Game Warden Field Notes
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
--Sleepy Hollow-like Two Van Zandt County game wardens received a tip about three individuals who had killed two large white-tailed bucks, still in velvet, at night with a spotlight. After interviewing the subjects, the wardens found out the two bucks were shot at night with a .22 rifle and their heads had been removed. Numerous cases against those involved are pending.
--Plan B While patrolling Lake Fork during early teal season, two Van Zandt County game wardens saw two boats with hunters shooting shore birds. Unable to make contact with the groups in the water, the wardens notified a Wood County game warden who was in the area in his Go-Devil boat. However, the Wood County warden's boat had developed mechanical problems earlier that morning, so he improvised and created another plan. After finding a willing duck hunter with a mud motor who gladly volunteered to take him to the group, multiple shore birds and one hen wood duck were recovered, and multiple cases were filed.
--Two-fer A Cherokee County game warden responded to a call regarding spotlighting and shots fired west of Maydelle. Recognizing the vehicle description, the warden found the vehicle, which was still in the area. After a brief interview of the two subjects in the vehicle, individuals the warden had previously filed on twice each for hunting violations, they admitted to shooting at a hog from the county road. Cases pending.
--Hunting in the Wrong Place A game warden from Dallam and Hartley counties and a Lubbock County game warden lieutenant received a call opening morning of pronghorn season about a hunter who shot pronghorn on their property in eastern Dallam County. After a short investigation, the hunter was located hunting two miles north of the property he had permission to hunt on. The pronghorn was seized and charges were filed.
--Trouble with the Swerve A Hunt County game warden was patrolling for night hunters around midnight near a deer breeding facility when he saw a vehicle stop on the highway not far from him. The warden investigated further and saw the vehicle turn down a dirt road and begin driving along the high fence belonging to a ranch. He continued to follow the vehicle and saw that it was being driven all over the roadway. A traffic stop was made and the warden found that the driver was intoxicated. He was unable to complete any sobriety exercises. At the jail, the driver blew a .175 on the Intoxilyzer. Case pending.
--Oh deer… After receiving several calls from dispatch about "peppering" from dove hunters, a Gillespie County game warden met with the hunters, one of whom led him to his residence where his hunting license was stored. While checking the license, the warden noticed a cage in the man's backyard with a fawn inside. The man said he found the fawn "abandoned" on the side of the road and brought it home a few months back. Case pending.
--Underage and Under the Influence While patrolling for dove hunting violations, two Starr County game wardens saw a pickup truck leaving a ranch with two unrestrained juveniles riding in the bed. After contact was made, one of the wardens saw two open alcoholic containers in the cab of the truck, and detracted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. After interviewing the driver and performing standardized field sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old (state jail felony) and was transported to the Starr County Jail.
--Hidden in Plain Sight After spending the morning checking fisherman on the Coleto Creek Resevoir, two Goliad County game wardens were headed to the field to check dove hunters in the area. The wardens found a newer model crew cab truck stashed suspiciously in the brush. A check of the vehicle identification number showered the truck to be stolen out of Houston. The case was turned over to the Goliad County Sheriff's Department.
--Caught in the Act A Brooks County game warden and a Kleberg County game warden returned to a large ranch in southern Brooks County to locate a group of dove hunters the wardens believed to be in violation of the law. The wardens eventually found the hunters and observed them from the brush as they enjoyed their dove hunt past legal shooting time and with plenty of bird action. The wardens rushed in soon after and were running over chicken scratch to get to them. Once contact was made and everything was checked out, multiple citations were issued, including: baiting migratory birds; hunting with unplugged shotgun, no hunting licenses, hunter education; and waste of game of a javelina. Cases pending.
--Work in Progress Bexar County game wardens were asked to assist Terrell County game wardens on a hunting without landowner's consent case involving two aoudad rams that were taken by four suspects caught on a game camera and the subsequent posting of their illegal hunt on Facebook. Terrell County arrest warrants were issued, and to date, three suspects have been arrested in Bexar County and a search warrant of one of the suspect's residence yielded an aoudad ram skull. Bexar County game wardens are continuing to search for the fourth suspect in the case.
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